Editorial: 'Fines' food no drop in the bucket

Published Saturday, January 03, 2009

The St. Johns County Library System's plan to take a non-perishable food item in lieu of a dollar in overdue fines was quite a success its first time out.

The collection ran from Nov. 19 to Dec. 20. Three days before the event's end, 5,019 items had been collected and $4,959 in fines had been erased. Well, the last three days of the collection saw a tremendous amount of support.

Library Director Debra Rhodes Gibson said the final tally was 7,779 non perishable items were collected. From the amount collected, $7,200 in fines were wiped out. The rest of the food came from community generosity. All food items were turned over to the St. Johns County Food Bank located in the St. Johns County Health and Human Services Center.

Gibson said many people perceive their library as a community center and one of the missions of a community center is people helping people.

We'd say the library is fulfilling its mission quite well.

Lights continue to twinkle downtown

If you haven't been downtown to walk among "Nights of Lights," don't wait too much longer. The city-sponsored event features millions of white twinkle lights lighting up the Plaza de la Constitucion and buildings throughout the downtown.

Before we know it, the lights will go out on Jan. 31. They'll return Nov. 19 but who wants to wait that long to enjoy the experience.

Don't miss the 'Star Party'

Call today to sign up for the GTM NERR's Jan. 16 "Star Party" at its educational center, seven miles north of St. Augustine on Guana Road.

The program starts at 6:30 p.m. and includes viewing from telescopes at the site. Call 823-4500. The cost is $5 per person but Friends of the GTM NERR get in free. Spaces are limited.

It is one of the best places to see the stars, planets, constellations, nebular galaxies and much more. Children under 12 are welcome to the "Star Party" but they must be accompanied by adults.

The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve Environmental Education Center is seven miles north of St. Augustine on Guana Road off State Road A1A, is a fantastic natural habitat, preserving Florida's wilderness and home to Florida's wildlife for centuries.